لَا تَرَى فِيهَا عِوَجًا وَلَا أَمْتًا[ You will not see a dip or an elevation (in the plains).]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 108

يَوْمَئِذٍ يَتَّبِعُونَ الدَّاعِيَ لَا عِوَجَ لَهُ وَخَشَعَتِ الْأَصْوَاتُ لِلرَّحْمَنِ فَلَا تَسْمَعُ إِلَّا هَمْسًا[ On that Day they will follow the Caller (straight). No deviation. All sounds shall humble themselves in the Presence of (Allah) the Most Compassionate. Nothing you will hear but the tramp of their feet. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 109

يَوْمَئِذٍ لَا تَنْفَعُ الشَّفَاعَةُ إِلَّا مَنْ أَذِنَ لَهُ الرَّحْمَنُ وَرَضِيَ لَهُ قَوْلًا[ On that Day, intercession is not of any avail except his, to whom the All Compassionate gives permission and with whose words He is well pleased. ]

The above verse clarifies an important issue. Who are the people who will be permitted to intercede on the day of Resurrection? Indeed, they are Prophets, Sahabah, Awliya Allah, etc.

Who are the ones who do not have the right to intercede in this world and on the day of resurrection? They are the Idols worshiped by non believers, their deities, false gods and those to whom they associate divinity. The deities and their followers all are destined to be consigned to the Fire of Hell.Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) is the Lord of this Cosmos who has the right to be worshiped. Other than Him, all are His servants. And among servants, the Prophets, and His righteous servants and Awliya Allah can intercede for the people in this world and in Hereafter.

How can Prophets and Awliya Allah help us in this world? They can pray Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) to forgive our sins and set right our issues in this world. And in Hereafter, they can intercede in reduction of the punishment of sinners and in taking them out of Hell.

(2) It is in Hadith -"It is related from Malik ad-Dar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) who was Hadhrat Umar's (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) treasurer, that the people suffered a drought during the Caliphate of `Umar, (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) whereupon a man came to the grave of the Prophet and said: "O Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), ask for rain for your Community, for verily they have but perished," after which the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) appeared to him in a dream and told him: "Go to `Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) and give him my greeting, then tell him that they will be watered. Tell him: You must be clever (cautious), you must be clever (cautious)!" The man went and told `Umar (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ). The latter said : "O my Lord, I spare no effort except in what escapes my power!"

The above Hadith is mentioned by Imam Bukhari in his book Taarikh al-Kabir - Biography of Malik al-dar. It is also is narrated by Bayhaqi. Salafi scholar Ibn Taymiyyah wrote this Hadith in Sirat al Mustaqim - page 373. Ibn Kathir cited it in al-Bidaya wa al-nihaya and said: isnaduhu sahih. Ibn Abi Shayba cited it in his Musannaf with a sound (sahih) chain as confirmed by Ibn Hajar who says: rawa Ibn Abi Shayba bi isnadin sahih and cited the hadith in Fath al-Bari. He identifies Malik al-Dar as `Umar's (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) treasurer (khazin `umar) and says that the man who visited and saw the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in his dream is identified as the Companion Bilal ibn al-Harith(رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), and he counts this Hadith among the reasons for Bukhari's naming of the chapter "The people's request to their leader for rain if they suffer drought."

The narrators of the above Hadith are : (a) Abu Mu‘awiya, (b) Imam A‘mash, (c) Abu Salih Abd al Rahman bin Sa’eed, (d) Malik bin Ayyad al-Dar. All of them are considered as authentic and famous narrators of Ahadith whose narrations were taken by Bukhari, Muslim, Abu Dawood, and others.

(3) Imam Malik was asked the following question by the Caliph Abu Ja`far al- Mansur :

"Shall I face the Qibla with my back towards the grave of the Apostle of Allah (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم)when making du`a (after salams)?" He replied : "How could you turn your face away from him (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) when he is the means (wasila) of your and your father Adam's forgiveness to Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)on the Day of Resurrection? Nay, face him and ask for his intercession (Istashfi bihi) so that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)will grant it to you as He said - وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا- (If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Apostle had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed All Forgiving, Most Merciful). ( An-Nisa - 64).

The above is narrated by al-Qadi `Iyad in al-Shifa (2:92-93). Subki in Shifa' al-siqam. Qastallani in al-Mawahib al-laduniyya. Ibn Jama`a in Hidayat al-salik. Haytami in al-Jawhar al-munazzam and Tuhfat al-zuwwar and others.

(4) Al-Utbi, a Sahabi, (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ) said : "As I was sitting by the grave of the Prophet, a Beduin Arab came and said: "O Apostle of Allah- صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم! I have heard Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)saying:وَلَوْ أَنَّهُمْ إِذ ظَّلَمُوا أَنفُسَهُمْ جَاءُوكَ فَاسْتَغْفَرُوا اللَّهَ وَاسْتَغْفَرَ لَهُمُ الرَّسُولُ لَوَجَدُوا اللَّهَ تَوَّابًا رَّحِيمًا- [If they had only, when they were unjust to themselves, come to you and asked Allah's forgiveness, and the Apostle (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) had asked forgiveness for them, they would have found Allah indeed All Forgiving, Most Merciful). ( An-Nisa - 64). So I have come to you asking forgiveness for my sins, seeking your intercession with my Lord."

Then he left, and I dozed and saw the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم) in my sleep. He said to me : "O `Utbi (رضئ اللہ تعالی عنہ), run after the Beduin and give him glad tidings that Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ)has forgiven him."

The correct position of Hanbali School of Thought is that it is permissible in one's supplication (du`a) to use as means a pious person (dead or alive), and it is desirable.

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 110

يَعْلَمُ مَا بَيْنَ أَيْدِيهِمْ وَمَا خَلْفَهُمْ وَلَا يُحِيطُونَ بِهِ عِلْمًا[ He knows what lies ahead of His servants (on the Day of Resurrection) and whatever (deeds) they had left behind (during the course of their lives), whereas they cannot encompass it with their knowledge. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 111

وَعَنَتِ الْوُجُوهُ لِلْحَيِّ الْقَيُّومِ وَقَدْ خَابَ مَنْ حَمَلَ ظُلْمًا[ (All) faces shall be humbled before (Allah), the Living, the Self-Subsisting (and) Eternal. And those burdened with wrongdoing will be in loss. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 112

وَمَنْ يَعْمَلْ مِنَ الصَّالِحَاتِ وَهُوَ مُؤْمِنٌ فَلَا يَخَافُ ظُلْمًا وَلَا هَضْمًا[ But he who does righteous deeds while he is a believer he will fear neither injustice nor deprivation (in rewards). ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 113

وَكَذَلِكَ أَنْزَلْنَاهُ قُرْآَنًا عَرَبِيًّا وَصَرَّفْنَا فِيهِ مِنَ الْوَعِيدِ لَعَلَّهُمْ يَتَّقُونَ أَوْ يُحْدِثُ لَهُمْ ذِكْرًا[ And We revealed this as an Arabic Quranand have expounded in it warning in diverse ways so that they may avoid evil or become heedful. ]

The above verse seems to be one of the earliest revelations when the Prophet (صلى الله عليه و آله وسلم), in order to convey them to the people, was anxious to memorize the revelations. He was, however, assured that he need not worry in this context as it is the responsibility of Allah (عَزَّ وَجَلَّ) to keep the verses in his memory for reciting them to the people.

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 115

وَلَقَدْ عَهِدْنَا إِلَى آَدَمَ مِنْ قَبْلُ فَنَسِيَ وَلَمْ نَجِدْ لَهُ عَزْمًا[ We had made a covenant with Adam (عليه السلام) (cautioning him not to approach a specific tree in the Paradise) but he forgot (as a result of insinuation from Satan). We did not find in him (the intention) to act against our Command. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 116

وَإِذْ قُلْنَا لِلْمَلَائِكَةِ اسْجُدُوا لِآَدَمَ فَسَجَدُوا إِلَّا إِبْلِيسَ أَبَى[ And when We said to the angels, 'Prostrate before Adam (عليه السلام),' they all prostrated except Iblis; he refused. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 117

فَقُلْنَا يَا آَدَمُ إِنَّ هَذَا عَدُوٌّ لَكَ وَلِزَوْجِكَ فَلَا يُخْرِجَنَّكُمَا مِنَ الْجَنَّةِ فَتَشْقَى[ So We cautioned, 'O Adam (عليه السلام)! This is surely an enemy to you and to your wife. So do not let him drive you both out of Paradise, for you (O' Adam عليه السلام) would then suffer (hardship). ]

فَأَكَلَا مِنْهَا فَبَدَتْ لَهُمَا سَوْآَتُهُمَا وَطَفِقَا يَخْصِفَانِ عَلَيْهِمَا مِنْ وَرَقِ الْجَنَّةِ وَعَصَى آَدَمُ رَبَّهُ فَغَوَى [ So they both ate from it, thereupon their bodies became visible to them. They began to cover themselves with some leafs of the trees of Paradise. (Satan's insinuation caused) Adam's (عليه السلام) oversight). ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 122

ثُمَّ اجْتَبَاهُ رَبُّهُ فَتَابَ عَلَيْهِ وَهَدَى[ Then his Lord chose him (for His grace), accepted his repentance, and bestowed His guidance upon him. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 123

قَالَ اهْبِطَا مِنْهَا جَمِيعًا بَعْضُكُمْ لِبَعْضٍ عَدُوٌّ فَإِمَّا يَأْتِيَنَّكُمْ مِنِّي هُدًى فَمَنِ اتَّبَعَ هُدَايَ فَلَا يَضِلُّ وَلَا يَشْقَى[ (Allah) said, go down from here , all of you. Some of you will be enemies to one another. But when guidance comes to you from Me, whoever follows My guidance will neither go astray, nor suffer. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 124

وَمَنْ أَعْرَضَ عَنْ ذِكْرِي فَإِنَّ لَهُ مَعِيشَةً ضَنْكًا وَنَحْشُرُهُ يَوْمَ الْقِيَامَةِ أَعْمَى[ But whoever turns away from remembering Me, he will have a life of great hardship, and We will raise him blind on the Day of Resurrection.' ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 125

قَالَ رَبِّ لِمَ حَشَرْتَنِي أَعْمَى وَقَدْ كُنْتُ بَصِيرًا[ He will plead : 'O Lord, why have you raised me blind when I was able to see (in the world)? ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 126

قَالَ كَذَلِكَ أَتَتْكَ آَيَاتُنَا فَنَسِيتَهَا وَكَذَلِكَ الْيَوْمَ تُنْسَى[ (Allah) will say : 'Because Our signs came to you, but you disregarded them. So shall We disregard you this day.' ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 127

وَكَذَلِكَ نَجْزِي مَنْ أَسْرَفَ وَلَمْ يُؤْمِنْ بِآَيَاتِ رَبِّهِ وَلَعَذَابُ الْآَخِرَةِ أَشَدُّ وَأَبْقَى[ This is how We repay whoever transgresses and does not believe in the revelations of their Lord. And the punishment of the Hereafter is far more severe and more lasting. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 128

أَفَلَمْ يَهْدِ لَهُمْ كَمْ أَهْلَكْنَا قَبْلَهُمْ مِنَ الْقُرُونِ يَمْشُونَ فِي مَسَاكِنِهِمْ إِنَّ فِي ذَلِكَ لَآَيَاتٍ لِأُولِي النُّهَى [ Did they not learn from the many generations that We destroyed before them, whose ruins they still pass by? Verily there are signs in this for people of understanding. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 129

وَلَوْلَا كَلِمَةٌ سَبَقَتْ مِنْ رَبِّكَ لَكَانَ لِزَامًا وَأَجَلٌ مُسَمًّى[ Had it not been for a prior decree from your Lord (O Prophet ﷺ) and a term already set, their doom would have been inevitable (in this world itself). ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 130

فَاصْبِرْ عَلَى مَا يَقُولُونَ وَسَبِّحْ بِحَمْدِ رَبِّكَ قَبْلَ طُلُوعِ الشَّمْسِ وَقَبْلَ غُرُوبِهَا وَمِنْ آَنَاءِ اللَّيْلِ فَسَبِّحْ وَأَطْرَافَ النَّهَارِ لَعَلَّكَ تَرْضَى[ So ( O' Prophet ﷺ ) be patient with what they say and exalt your Lord's glory, and praise Him before the rising of the sun and before its setting; and exalt His glory during periods of the night and the day, so that you may be content. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 131

وَلَا تَمُدَّنَّ عَيْنَيْكَ إِلَى مَا مَتَّعْنَا بِهِ أَزْوَاجًا مِنْهُمْ زَهْرَةَ الْحَيَاةِ الدُّنْيَا لِنَفْتِنَهُمْ فِيهِ وَرِزْقُ رَبِّكَ خَيْرٌ وَأَبْقَى[ Do not strain your eyes (by looking at the source of their rebellion) the worldly comforts We have given to some groups among them is to enjoy the splendor of the present worldly life. (They are provided with these comforts) so that We may test them thereby. (Indeed), the provision of Your Lord are better and more lasting. ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 132

وَأْمُرْ أَهْلَكَ بِالصَّلَاةِ وَاصْطَبِرْ عَلَيْهَا لَا نَسْأَلُكَ رِزْقًا نَحْنُ نَرْزُقُكَ وَالْعَاقِبَةُ لِلتَّقْوَى[ Order your people to establish Salah, and be diligent in its observance. You are not responsible (for their) provisions. It is We who provide you (all) the provisions. And the ultimate best outcome is for (the people of) righteousness.]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 133

وَقَالُوا لَوْلَا يَأْتِينَا بِآَيَةٍ مِنْ رَبِّهِ أَوَلَمْ تَأْتِهِمْ بَيِّنَةُ مَا فِي الصُّحُفِ الْأُولَى[ They say, 'Why does he not bring us a sign (a miracle) from his Lord?’ Has there not come to them a manifest proof in that which is in the earlier scriptures? ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 134

وَلَوْ أَنَّا أَهْلَكْنَاهُمْ بِعَذَابٍ مِنْ قَبْلِهِ لَقَالُوا رَبَّنَا لَوْلَا أَرْسَلْتَ إِلَيْنَا رَسُولًا فَنَتَّبِعَ آَيَاتِكَ مِنْ قَبْلِ أَنْ نَذِلَّ وَنَخْزَى[ If We had destroyed them with a punishment before your advent, they would have said, 'Our Lord, why did You not send us an Apostle, so we could follow Your Signs before we were humiliated and disgraced? ]

Juz 16, Taa Haa, Verse 135

قُلْ كُلٌّ مُتَرَبِّصٌ فَتَرَبَّصُوا فَسَتَعْلَمُونَ مَنْ أَصْحَابُ الصِّرَاطِ السَّوِيِّ وَمَنِ اهْتَدَى[ Say : 'Each one awaits the consequence (of his actions); so you wait. You will come to know soon who are the people of the straight path and who have come to guidance. ]